Mikel Arteta has revealed Eberechi Eze phoned him as he was about to join Tottenham.
Arsenal left their north London rivals red-faced on Wednesday night when they reached an agreement in principle with Crystal Palace to sign Eze.
Eze had looked Spurs-bound after they spent 10 days negotiating over a deal worth £55million plus add-ons – only for Arsenal to sneak in at the last minute with a bid worth £67.5m.
The 27-year-old completed the move to Arsenal on Saturday and was unveiled in front of fans before their 5-0 win over Leeds.
A report from The Athletic claims that Eze got in contact with Mikel Arteta just as he was about to commit to Tottenham.
When asked if it was true, Arteta said: ‘That shows you how much he wanted to come.
Mikel Arteta has revealed Eberechi Eze phoned him as he was about to join Tottenham
Eze completed his move to the Gunners on Saturday and was unveiled in front of the fans
Tottenham had spent 10 days negotiating over a deal worth £55million plus add-ons
‘It’s very different sometimes because you want to be very open and transparent with the players as they have to make decisions in their careers but I’m delighted to have him.
‘I’m delighted to have him, I can tell how much it means to him and his whole family.’
Daily Mail Sport understands Spurs had agreed to Palace’s transfer demands on Wednesday and also struck terms with Eze who, at that stage, was keen to finalise the move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
But Crystal Palace are understood to have insisted that Eze remain available for their Conference League play-off first leg against Norwegian side Fredrikstad on Thursday night, which handed Arsenal an opportunity to swoop in.
But in the end, Eze didn’t play. Oliver Glasner expected him to have a send-off but revealed that the winger called in sick on the morning of the game.
He has signed a four year deal at the Emirates, with the option of a further year and will wear the No 10 shirt.
Eze could make his debut when Arsenal travel to Anfield to face title challengers Liverpool next Sunday.
His chances of starting next week improved due to injuries to Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka on Saturday.
Captain Odegaard appeared to hurt his right shoulder during the first half while Saka was clutching his hamstring as he was forced off in the 53rd minute.
